January 29, 2020- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Representative Katherine Clark (MA-05) was recognized by the National Head Start Association with the 2020 Head Start Pledge Award for demonstrating a steadfast commitment to fulfilling the Head Start pledge to serve America’s most vulnerable children and families.

“I’m so grateful for the partnership of Head Start,” said Congresswoman Clark. “So many of the challenges we face as a nation, whether poverty, racial injustice, economic stability, can be solved by giving every child a great start. I am thrilled that we have secured an additional $550 million for this vital program, but our work won’t be over until every child has access to early education.”

“Head Start children and families are grateful for Vice Chair Clark’s support and thank her for keeping the commitment to Head Start in both her words and her deeds,” said NHSA’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “For 55 years, Head Start has been partnering with vulnerable children and families on their paths to success, and our impact would not be possible without the steadfast support of our long-standing allies in Congress.”

Vice Chair Clark was honored with the Pledge Award for her leadership in advocating for an increase in Head Start funding to support practices that address trauma; and for diligently working to find solutions to Head Start’s most pressing challenges throughout her tenure in Congress. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Clark led the successful effort to increase the Head Start federal budget by $550 million in Fiscal Year 2020.

Vice Chair Clark accepted the Pledge Award during the annual Head Start Breakfast on the Hill, where congressional champions addressed Head Start parents, alumni, and other supporters who were on Capitol Hill to advocate for the early childhood development program with members of Congress and their staff.

Today’s Head Start on the Hill events are part of NHSA’s 2020 Winter Leadership Institute, which brings together more than 500 Head Start leaders to plan for the future of the comprehensive early childhood education program. Leaders of the Head Start community from across the nation are convening in Washington, D.C., for four days of informative sessions, innovative panels, and results-oriented workshops.